Eidul Adha: High livestock prices deter buyers in Samangan

AIBAK (Pajhwok): Some residents of northern Samangan province complain about high prices of livestock ahead of Eid-ul-Adha compared to their rates last year, but livestock farmers attribute the increase in rates to successive droughts and rising price of livestock feed.

On the occasion of Eid al-Adha, Muslims sacrifice cows, sheep or camels. Usually, sheep are sacrificed by one person, while cows or camels are sacrificed individually or jointly by two to seven people. This year, livestock markets are bustling, but people are talking about the skyrocketing prices of animals.

Abdul Karim, a resident of Dalkhki village, who came to buy a sacrificial animal, told Pajhwok Afghan News the price of livestock had increased compared to last year and it had become difficult to find a sacrificial animal of one’s choice.

“Last year I bought a sheep for 9,500 afghanis, but this year the same sheep costs 12,000 afghanis”.

Abdul Aziz, another resident, explained he used to buy a sheep for Eid-ul-Adha every year, but this year, due to economic problems and the high price of livestock, he decided to buy a cow with his relatives.

“Prices are very high and this year it is really not possible for many to buy sacrificial animals”: he added.

Meanwhile, droughts of the past few years and the increase in price of livestock feed have forced farmers to raise the price of their livestock, some residents explained.

Abdul Raouf, a livestock seller for 18 years, said: “Perhaps this is the first year that prices have increased. Rates have surged in previous years, but not to this extent. Last years, the price of a sheep was between 9,000afs and 10,000afs, but this year the same type of sheep is being sold for 12,000afs to 13,000afs”.

Zabihullah, a resident of Kokjar village in Hazrat Sultan district, said pastures did not grow and they were forced to keep their livestock at home due to the drought, which resulted in additional costs for them.

“If there had been no drought, livestock prices would not have raised so much, and both sellers and buyers would have been more comfortable”.

According to farmers, this year the price of each sheep is between 11,000 and 26,000 afghanis and the price of each calf or cow is between 25,000 and 110,000 afghanis, which has increased significantly than last year.

Officials confirm that as Eid-ul-Adha approaches, livestock prices have increased, and assure that efforts to control the livestock market are continuing.

“Unfortunately, on the arrival of Eid-ul-Adha, the prices of livestock surge, but we always try to control it,” Mawlawi Ahmad Khan Khadem, head of Industry and Commerce Department, told Pajhwok.

Recently, droughts and a shortage of fodder are among the main reasons for the increase in livestock prices in the province.

Employees monitor the livestock market on a daily basis, and necessary measures will be taken to prevent price hike.

hz/ma